AAP

Tony Abbott has survived a Liberal party room leadership spill, but his standing as prime minister has taken a battering.

The Australian dollar has drifted lower following better-than-expected US jobs figures and Chinese trade numbers.

Gold has slumped to its lowest level in three weeks as some investors recalibrate their outlook on US interest rates after a stronger-than-expected US jobs report.

The share market has notched up its longest ever rally, with a 12th straight day of gains coming on strength in the mining and energy sector.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has cut its forecasts for economic growth as a pick-up in non-mining investment takes longer than earlier expected.

The share market has opened in positive territory for a record 12th straight day, on a strong lead from Wall Street as a rise in oil prices.

The Dow has finished more than 200 points higher on surging oil prices and merger activity on the eve of the closely watched US jobs report.

Oil prices have rallied in volatile trading, partly erasing the previous day's heavy losses in what analysts said was mostly a technical rebound.

Gold has nudged lower as a stronger US equities market and shifting expectations for US interest rates hemmed in traders' appetite for the haven asset.

The Australian dollar has bounced back above 78 US cents as rising oil prices give risk appetite a boost.

Retail spending is still soft, as weak consumer confidence outweighs any boost from falling petrol prices.

A bushfire is hampering mining operations for BHP Billiton and Newmont Mining at two Western Australian sites.

The share market has achieved its longest winning streak in more than 11 years, with the financial sector driving its latest day of gains.

National Australia Bank has cut interest rates for home owners after unveiling a $1.65 billion first-quarter profit.

Local governments are the main source of corruption in Western Australia, Premier claims.

All four of the major banks will pass on the Reserve Bank of Australia rate cut, though customers will have to wait at least another week for the cheaper rates to apply.

US fund management giant The Capital Group has taken a 5 per cent stake in the world's fourth biggest iron ore miner, Fortescue Metals Group.

Downer's share price has fallen after the company blamed a mining downturn for a 4 per cent slide in first-half profit.

The share market has opened weaker after a 10-day winning streak as oil prices fell.

US stocks have given up late gains after the European Central Bank put fresh pressure on Athens by lifting its waiver on the use of Greek bonds as collateral.

Gold prices have ended higher as investors hunker down for drawn-out debt negotiations with Greece, boosting demand for the precious metal as a haven asset.

The Australian dollar has come under pressure against a resurging greenback, amid sliding commodity prices and a retreat in risk appetite.

The share market has achieved its longest winning run in two years, with miners and energy stocks pushing it to a 10th straight day of gains.

Agricultural chemicals maker Nufarm's long serving chief executive Doug Rathbone has stepped down.

Liberal backbenchers aren't rushing to back a disgruntled colleague's call to dump Tony Abbott as leader next week, even after former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett described Mr Abbott's leadership as terminal.

Gold miner Ramelius Resources expects to return to profit due a higher gold price and increased production.

Two of the big four banks have passed on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate cut after Treasurer Joe Hockey demanded they do so immediately.

The Australian sharemarket is on track for a 10th straight day of gains, after opening sharply higher on the back of climbing oil prices.

The Australian dollar has recovered much of its losses suffered after plunging to near six-year lows following the Reserve Bank's decision to cut rates.

The Dow has gained more than 300 points as US stocks rallied on higher oil prices and greater optimism over a deal to renegotiate Greece's debt.

Gold prices have fallen, as hopes for an imminent resolution between the new Greek government and its creditors temper demand for the haven metal.

Oil prices have surged higher for a third straight day, hitting late-2014 peaks on hopes of rebounding global energy demand and production cuts that could curb the supply glut.